The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-06
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
O2OAI NJI 4
Will Dr. Thornton Please step 10 th,
Front.

To the Editor OF the Appeal
Sir-I have always thought that a sys-
TEN OF grumbling, moderate, amiablo and
patriotic, would be a salutary adjunct to
the machinery of government in general,
political, ecclesiastical and social. This
desidcratum was supplied in Rome, in her
republican glory, by an officer Of dignity
and responsibility, called the censor mo
rum. remember in this connection that
about twenty years ago, when Memphis
began sundry strange municipal evolutions
OF questionable wisdom and propriety, and
boom threatened TO initiate prices and de-
press values, an old, honorcd, eccentric,
yet very smart citizen, Mr.. Howard,
owner and builder of Towards row, vol
unteered TO furnish the required amount
OF public 'cussin'," and did il faithfully
and to the general satisfaction, leaving in
a few years thereafter, with his much H.
mented death, n vacancy in the office OF
public cusser for Shelby county, which
has been supplied with much yigor. but
| only now and then, by Esquire Powell,
who, unfortunately, has been so actively
engaged in other public duties rs TO d.
usefulness in this important branch OF
| public service.
Recognizing the great need Of some salu.
tary diatribes on things so often going
wrong nowadays, | will, with your Per
mission, mako TnE AprEAL my vehicle
for q little occasional, amiablc yet salu-
tary grumbling.
noticed n few days ago an ArPEAL ed
| m al ~ Of ttF
| in the largest cities OF Tennessee were
stated comparatively. This statement
made the death rate OF Memphis about %
per 900, showing death rate larger for
| Memphis than in any other city in the
State. had previously read u report pre-
pared by DIR. Thornton, president of the
city board of health, and noted the inn
poriant fact that tho death rate of Mem
phis, applied to resident white population,
is about 10 l,00O-less, believe, than in
any large city in the United States.
Upon further ANALYSIS OF the report, |
found that the high rate oi mortality for
the whole population was largely due 20
deaths in hospitals Of non-rcsidents who
are brought 10 Memphis 10y steamboats, and
railroads from the Mississippi valley AMI
adjoining States and counties. Now |
must summon DIR. Thornton 10 answer
the charge of neglect 81 duty, when lac
allowed your editorial. in which YOU in
quircd the cause OF 20 great mortality, TO
go unanswered. lie knows and can pro.
ducc reliable statistical proof that Mem.
phs Is second TO no important city in the
Union as a healthiul place NJ rpsideneo,
and In the exercise OF the important
duties Of his Office il is his duty NJ well Il
guard the reputation OF the city agains
Misrepresentation rs 10 guard IL against
disease itself, for the life and growth ri
the city largely depends upon public opin.
ion upon questions which he Is paid 10 in.
yestieate and decide.
The doctor seems 10 repose in blissful
enjoyment OF honos heroically won and
universally recognized; but VIZ must re-
mind him that the inquiry VI THE ArITAI
and the misleading statistical statement oi
comparative mortuary statistics demand OF
him q reply. Memphis and its high and
undulaiing suburban lands. its mild AMI
salubrious climate, It's natural beauties,
is rich tributary territory, etc, make II as
a locality exceptionally desirable as place
Of residence. Dr. Thornton must come to
the front with his sanitary statistics.